Killer Computer Cases Research

[WNG]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Hi all!
I'm a newbie here, and late to the party.
This is a great resource site!

My preference is also for thick robust cases, plain clean styling. Fads and trends never last long.

My favorites are Inwin cases. Nice contruction and attention to details.

Also have an older Antec full tower server which is sweet. And an Enlight mid tower that's well built but not my taste.

I don't like the bling cases, with their plexiglass windows. As an engineer, it makes no sense given the need to contain EMI from the computer.
And most are soda can thin. Pure junk.

Back to the OP, those 3 choices....
The Coolermaster tower pushes all the right buttons for me. Style, build quality, layout. The Lian Li is my new reference for state of the art ATX. Wow! I want one!
The ThermalTake...ummm, typical of this company, hit and miss products.
Sometimes they peddle junk (ie. PSU's) and decent stuff.
Too much bling for bling's sake here. IMHO.

I guess I'm the type to spend my money on items that count, not the bling of the case which adds no performance to the system.

[tazwegion]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

The Coolermaster tower pushes all the right buttons for me. Style, build quality, layout. The Lian Li is my new reference for state of the art ATX. Wow! I want one!

Yeah... I know what you mean, of all the cases available when I did my last 'PC build up' only the CM Centurion had the look, functionality & robust construction that I was looking for

[willawake]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

well its that time of year, willa is getting dragged around the computer stores with fathers deciding what to buy for their kids.

so in the computer cases department we have the following.



chieftec have the Full ATX GX-01B-OP shown above. although it has a door it looks really good. especially with led fan in the front. Actually i did not know it was a chieftec the first time i saw it.



then we have the zalman fatality. which looks real quality but they slapped fatality logos all over the damn thing and it looks kinda ricer. 290 european bucks as well. you could get a quality case and quality psu for that.



then there is the antec nine hundred which is a nice case and functional but looks too much plastic. i would like to see you source replacement for that very large top fan.



so this shopping trip i ended up thinking the thermaltake armor junior with the full instead of split window was the best. and at 99 euro its ok. looks quality as well. yeh that armor shit looks removable if you get bored with it in the end.

[Shroomie]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

then we have the zalman fatality. which looks real quality but they slapped fatality logos all over the damn thing and it looks kinda ricer.

I'd bet 180 euros without the Fatality marketing BS. It'd be a decent deal at that price.

Me, I'm happy with my $30(AR) Ultra (Chenming aluminum) mid/full tower...5 5.25" bays and 120mm fan spots front and rear.

[willawake]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

yeh that guy is getting paid bucks for the endorsements.

still i am not recommending anything without 120mm fans for this season. its the way to go. even for psu.

[trodas]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Agreed. 120mm is way to go. I did not like lights, windows and stuff, but I still installed some of my machines into black iCute cases - they go with windows and in-out 120mm fans plus side 80-92mm one. I take out all except the in-one, cut off the shielding metal inside to maximize airflow and lower the fan voltage to 7V - and got amazingly well ventilated case and quiet one. Not enought for my main rig, but enought for folding machines.
120mm front pannel fan simply do wonders in cooling.



I'm still a baige fan. One can do amazing things with it, like THIS one:

[Fizzycapola]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Shouldn't PC cases be solid all around to prevent RFI? I remember old computers were
normally always encased fully in metal, even inside my Amiga the components inside
were in a metal casing (probably steel).

PC cases have long way to go. Aluminium cases suck (noisy). Windows suck (pointless, RFI problem). Fan mounting sucks (fans shouldn't be mouted directly onto casing as
it conducts noise - just stupid design).

[Spacedye69]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Enlight 7250 - boring case but excellent quality. 60 USD WITH a good ps.(until I short it and blow it up, LOL)

[Lazzie]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

whatever happened to a nice beige box, rather than hideously ugly shiny things with windows and lights that light the room up and look like crap?

--Randy

I hate those cases for one funny reason:I used to have in my room,then i once had a dream in which i was abducted by aliens who later through me out of their spaceship somewhere in space.Jus wen i abt to xplode,i woke up.U know,the ship had lights similar to the ones on that case.The following morning i put up an advert n sold the thing.

[Fizzycapola]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Antec Nine Hundred

[willawake]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

its a good case i just wish they would lose the plastic top part cos it looks cheap.

at the moment i am looking at the Lian Li PC-7 SE-B II

[Galvanized]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

I still like the Akasa Eclipse 62. It's built by YCC but finished much nicer.
Sure wish they were avalible here State-Side. Google for reviews.
Slide out stainless tray with 120s front & rear. Yeah baby!

Here's a new carbon fiber case from Ultra. With the exception of the side vents, I like it.
It is quite tall. The drive cages are cast aluminum.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/439/1/

The PC-7 does not use the 2mm thick aluminum that the PC-60 of old did.
It is not as sturdy as a result. I built two rigs using this case (PC-7). I drilled
the top panel rivets and installed a bolt-in aluminum brace across the top inner panels,
then bolted the top cover back inplace using 6-32s.
The new cross brace is a great place to tie-up bundled PSU wiring out of the air flow.

[willawake]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Doesnt look like the Eclipse 62 is still available here. Now its the Mirage 62 with front door

The PC-7 does not use the 2mm thick aluminum that the PC-60 of old did.

thats a shame.

carbon fiber eh? suppose you could get it to match the toilet seat

[Galvanized]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Doesnt look like the Eclipse 62 is still available here. Now its the Mirage 62 with front door



thats a shame.

carbon fiber eh? suppose you could get it to match the toilet seat

That's for fast dumping?

Thanks for that link...I'll use it. I do link the woven look of carbon fiber, can't help myself.

[pentium]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Antec Nine Hundred

Put a mesh (metal window screen) over the window and remove the lights and you have a damn good case so long as you shield the inside by putting tinfoil between the case skin and the metal frame. Just for that extre RF shielding.
Actually, The fan looks the same size as the one on my Olivetti M24. The surplus store sells them for $20 a pop.

[Operandi]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Lian Li has kinda spoiled me for anything else.

How about the PC-A16 ?

[pentium]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

If it was four inches wider it would fit my server motherboard.
However plastic drive fronts don't look good with a metal front.

[Operandi]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

If it was four inches wider it would fit my server motherboard.
However plastic drive fronts don't look good with a metal front.

There is a black version which would match black drives perfectly, black drives also look quite good against anodized silver AL in my opinion.

If you want a perfect match they also sell AL 5 1/4 optical covers.

[Fizzycapola2]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

I bought the Antec 900, so far so good, the plastic I don't mind it's good solid plastic
not too thin / flimsy or shiny like you see on made in china cheap crap, and there is
steel underneath it lol. I got it for it's cooling performance, which other case supports
5 120mm fans and a 200mm outlet all with speed controls as standard, + room for
atleast 1 more 120mm inside too and even 2 more if you don't put any hard drive in.


I quote from the box it came in:

"Now you can own any noob ever spawned"

With lines like that it's paid for itself already lol.

[willawake]

Re: Killer Computer Cases Research

Antec Titan-550
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/revie...n550/index.htm
http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetai...?ProdID=01550#



Server/workstation case = deep = good
1x120 rear, 2x92 front
the door swings 270 degrees so no breaking it off
underneath the lower front panel, the fan cage removes allowing front access to the hdds. ok but will have to unclip the power and sata cable first, cos it is deep there is probably not much travel available in the cables. still its pretty nice that way. doesnt look too shabby overall though.

problem is that it comes with psu 550w which i wouldnt want. so price is 231 euro which is too much.

Yeong Yang YY-W202 comes in at 139 euro
http://www.modthebox.com/review298_2.shtml





and it has full air filter for the front (nice for pristine optical drives) but no front fan unless the module is included. rear is 120mm



the YY-W201 looks sicker at the front though but i see only the 202 available here. still these are more server cases than the antec which could still be very nice for workstation. Still 139 euro for the YY is pretty close to the Akasa Mirage 62 though.